Number of youngsters hospitalised for drugs rises in West Sussex
The number has almost doubled over the last decade
The number of young people being admitted into hospital because of substance misuse in West Sussex has risen by 92 per cent in 10 years.
That is according to new Public Health England data, which has revealed that hospital admissions across the South East have been rising steadily since 2016/17.
In West Sussex, there were 122 hospital admissions due to substance misuse for young people aged between 15 and 24 from 2008/09 to 2010/11.
That compares to 235 between 2017/18 and 2019/20.
Public Health England compiled hospital admissions data based on the primary diagnosis relating to mental and behavioural disorders because of the use of a wide-range of substances, including cannabis, ‘laughing gas’, cocaine and heroin.
Eytan Alexander, CEO of the UK Addiction Treatment Group (UKAT), told Greatest Hits Radio:
"We're only scratching the surface by hospital admissions.
"It's scary to think of how big a number of our kids are messing around with drugs and experimenting.
"That's the part that goes unnoticed by families and schools, but ultimately it can be addressed.
"No one can help someone unless that person wants help.
"We're powerless over these people.
"Once people are informed and armed with the facts, and they see these case studies and see what's going on, it carries a very, very strong message and that's the key."
UKAT, which runs the Recovery Lighthouse treatment centre in Worthing, now partners with schools, colleges and universities across the country to educate students "on the dangers of addiction".
The free drug and alcohol education programme is led by qualified therapists.
Anybody in need of help can call UKAT's free 24/7 confidential Helpline on 0808 274 9707 or fill out a form online**.**